Where should I go out to Eat or Drink in Kansas City?!

Food & DrinkKansas City

Jun 13

Written By Steph Rupp

Taqueria Mexico #4

Rockhill Grille

Strang Hall

Houlihan's

The Town Co.

NOKA

Breit's Stein

Welcome to my “food and drink suggestions in Kansas City” list.

My goal with this list is to help curious (or indecisive) minds with their next meal. Whether you’re visiting from states away or you are a local who just wants to try something new, I bet there’s an option for you.

Restaurants and bars will be listed with the area of town they are in and likely a short description. I will use sub-headings to the best of my abilities to sort things into categories. Due to this you may see duplicates.

This post will always be a work-in-progress!

I want to continue updating this post as I discover more of the amazing food and beverage options around the Kansas City area. I hope you found this post helpful!

Please reach out if you have any comments or suggestions.

Looking for something special?

For Big Groups

Parlor, Crossroads, KCMO - I haven’t been in ages but this was KC’s original food hall! Located in a very cool area in the KC Crossroads.
Brewery Emperial, Crossroads, KCMO - One of my favorite places ever! THE FOOD IS DIVINE. Large beer garden in the KC Crossroads. You want to go on a nice day where you can sit outside at the picnic tables.
Boulevard Brewing Tours & Recreation Center “Beer Hall”, KCMO - Our most popular brewery and an amazing place to hang out. Snack foods, gift shop, tours.
J. Rieger & Co., KCMO - Huuuuge distillery with multiple levels and areas to hang out. Can’t speak much on the food but I believe I have gotten light bites there, maybe a pretzel or similar.
Strang Hall, Overland Park, Kansas - Food hall with a wide array of options and a big bar. Tons of indoor and outdoor seating.
Taqueria Mexico #4 on the Boulevard, KCK - Giant margaritas, buttery cheese dip, and all of the basics. Enough seating for all your friends.

Steph’s Personal Favorites

Kata Nori Hand Roll Bar, Crossroads, KCMO - Hand roll sushi bar with limited seating. Get a reservation. Everything tastes so fresh and high quality. Go casually or for a special occasion (we celebrated our wedding anniversary there!).
Conroy’s, Westwood, Kansas - A comfortable and lively Irish pub. The food is out of this world - you must try one of the pies: cottage, fisherman or chicken pot pie. Not super friendly for vegetarians, but they can always just have a Guinness!
The Hi-Dive Lounge, 39th Street, KCMO - Dive bar with great food. Get the wings or chicken strips! You must order a “mystery beer” from the beer vending machine. Small patio that’s enjoyable if there aren’t too many smokers.
Westport Cafe, Westport, KCMO - Modern French food and good cocktails nuzzled into a cozy spot in Westport.

On the Fancy Side

La Bodega, Southwest Boulevard, KCMO - Spanish Tapas. Gorgeous interior and patio.
Fox and Pearl, KCMO - Upscale bistro in the historic Westside. Moody lighting, a great wine list, and fabulous charcuterie.
Lazia, Crossroads, KCMO - Inside Crossroads Hotel. Upscale Italian in an urban/modern space.
Noka, Martini Corner, KCMO - Oh my gosh. Stunning place. “Contemporary Japanese farmhouse concept”. Some of the most delicious and creative food. The Nightmarket Chicken Wings were incredible.

Patios

Brewery Emperial, Crossroads, KCMO - One of my favorite places ever! THE FOOD IS DIVINE. Large beer garden in the KC Crossroads. You want to go on a nice day where you can sit outside at the picnic tables.
La Bodega, Southwest Boulevard, KCMO - Spanish Tapas. Gorgeous interior and patio.
Strang Hall, Overland Park, Kansas - Food hall with a wide array of options and a big bar. Tons of indoor and outdoor seating.
Conroy’s, Westwood, Kansas - A comfortable and lively Irish pub. The food is out of this world - you must try one of the pies: cottage, fisherman or chicken pot pie. Not super friendly for vegetarians, but they can always just have a Guinness!
The Bar, Mission, Kansas - Your classic sports bar with surprisingly great food and fantastic deals and prices. There are multiple locations but this is my favorite!
Harry’s Country Club, Westport, KCMO
Rock Creek Brewing, Mission, Kansas
Maloney’s, Overland Park, Kansas
Grinder’s, Crossroads, KCMO
Two Birds One Stone
Varsity Club
City Barrel, KCMO

Types of Food

BBQ (always gotta talk bbq in kc)

Joe’s KC, KCK - Famous for a reason! The original is a gas station on 47th.
Q39, 39th Street, KCMO - Newer, trendy, ultra delicious. Onion straws are life. Go to the one on 39th street.

Mexican

El Camino Real, 7th Street, KCK - Best authentic street tacos ever. Al Pastor!
El Patron (on Southwest Boulevard) - The strongest margaritas in the city and one of many great Mexican restaurants on Southwest Boulevard (Ponak’s, Margarita’s, Taqueria Mexico #1 or #4, etc).
KC Taco Company, River Market, KCMO

Dessert

Betty Rae’s Ice cream (multiple locations)

Pizza

My guide to the Best Pizza in Kansas City (9 options)
Pizza Tascio, multiple locations - I hear great things from many people, but I have never been.

Italian

Garozzo’s Downtown, Columbus Park, KCMO - Delicious Italian. You will get fat. They catered my wedding.

Bakeries + Brunch

Bakeries:

McLain’s
Billie’s Grocery
Messenger Coffee + Ibis Bakery
Banksia
Meshuggah Bagels

Brunch:

Room 39
McLain’s
Billie’s Grocery
BLVD Tavern
The Farmhouse

Drinks (and sometimes bites)

Dive Bars

Varsity Club, River Market, KCMO - The coolest spot ever. Great vibes, creative cocktails and a burger truck. Read my full article here.
Hillsiders, Strawberry Hill, KCK
Breit’s Stein, Strawberry Hill, KCK
The Peanut or Hi-Dive Lounge - both are dive bars with legendary food. WINGS! Hi Dive has a beer vending machine.

Local Breweries and Distilleries

Boulevard Brewing Tours & Recreation Center “Beer Hall”, KCMO - Our most popular brewery and an amazing place to hang out. Snack foods, gift shop, tours.
J. Rieger & Co., KCMO - Huuuuge distillery with multiple levels and areas to hang out. Can’t speak much on the food but I believe I have gotten light bites there, maybe a pretzel or similar.
Stockyards, West Bottoms, KCMO
There are lots of cute, small breweries around town, my favorite is Stockyards in the west bottoms. (Then.. servaes, rock creek, casual animal, double shift, etc).

Classy + Trendy Joints

Tom’s Town Distilling, Crossroads, KCMO - cocktail bar/distillery in the heart of the cool Crossroads neighborhood.
Percheron, Crossroads, KCMO - rooftop bar at Crossroads Hotel. The BEST view of the city. Could be busy, but def worth it.
Le Champion, Westport, KCMO

Sports Bars

The Peanut
The Bar, Mission, Kansas - Your classic sports bar with surprisingly great food and fantastic deals and prices. There are multiple locations but this is my favorite!